I am interested in buying a honda rancher 4x4, but before did i wanted to find out which would be better for me. Does the Rancher have enough power and does it have good speed. If you could would you tell me how fast the rancher and the foreman will go. I know ground clearance is a good quality and the rancher is two inches higher. IF you have one of these atvs please tell me how you like it.

 

I was always told to get the biggest you could afford. I looked at buying a Rancher, but decided the Foreman S would be a better buy. I use mine for hunting and light chores.
Since it is a Honda, I'd say you couldn't go wrong buying either one. The Rancher looks like a great bike if you are on budget. I have heard a lot of good things about both.

 

I too had that same problem, deciding which atv to buy, if you can call this a problem. I narrowed it down to the Rancher 4x4ES and the Foreman 450ES. I went with the Foreman over the Rancher for the following reasons; very strong motor/lots of torque, selectable 2wd/4wd, third headlight is nice, better and bigger stock tires, it's been out since '98 and it has a great reputation. This is not to say that the Rancher is a bad choice, it's a great bike. I have a friend who has a 2001 with over 3000 miles on it, 2wd ES model, and has had no problems at all. The Rancher might be better for trail riding and some utility work, while the Foreman is mostly a utility quad. Also, I rode 20 miles of trails in So. Md. where I live, and I can tell you that the new Foremans are great trail machines! The 2wd option really helps out. Going around turns in the woods, and hitting the gas really kicks the rear end out, makes it feel real sporty. The ground clearance I believe is 7.7 inches. I haven't got any top speed figures yet because I'm trying to break it in. However, I will say that I can get to 40mph real fast, a lot faster than my buddies Fourtrax 300. The only complaint I have is that the Foreman is really geared low and I found myself trail riding (at speeds below 20mph) in 3-4 gear. But, no matter which gear you are in, when you hit the gas, you fly! It really has some power! This is my 4th quad in 5 years, I've owned 3 - 300 cc class machines before this (Pol 325 mag, Kaw 300 prarie, AC 300) and after having a powerful motor like the 450, I'll never buy a sub 400 machine again. If you really like the Rancher, you just might want to wait for the Rancher AT. I would have waited, but the Foreman has been out for 5 years now, and there's been nothing but good things said about them.

You also want to consider picking the quad that best fits your needs. I will be using my bike mostly for hunting, working, and some trail riding. I don't do any mudding or submarining like others, it's just not my bag. I chose the Foreman for my needs. If I was doing a lot of trail riding, and less hunting and working, then I'd probably pick the Rancher.

Hope this helps.

 

don't go by the ground clearance specs...the clearance on the rancher is measured at a different place than the 450....they have almost the same ground clearance.....within 1/2 inch i believe....other than that, prairiedog has pretty well summed up the performance of the 450....i have the rancher, but the 450 is just plain and simply "more" bike.....very reliable with lots of grunt...the rancher will give you 50 mph while the 450 will get close to 55...in perfect conditions.

 

Look at what you need one for. I think the 450 is the most dependable, trouble free ATV money can buy today. To ride them both, I think the Rancher is alot "sportier" than the Foreman.

 

There really is no replacement for displacement . . . considering the $$$ difference is relatively slight between the two, I would go with the Foreman . . . I was in the exact same spot as you when I was shopping the Hondas and I am glad I went with the 450 . . . you'll be happy to have the extra power

I have gotten mine up to 48-50 mph and use it to plow, pull and play - it is great and dependable! takes quite a beating and lives up to the honda name. Although you can't go wrong with either, I would be kicking myself if I went with the rancher over the foreman . . .

Good luck with your purchase

 

Well, the Rancher is lighter, and rides smoother. I believe it has a higher top speed than the Foreman, but it takes much longer to get there.

The Foreman is bigger, stronger, and heavier all around. Maybe a couple MPH slower top speed on a long, smooth straight-away, but faster acceleration, and more power (faster going uphill, or with a passenger).

If all you were going to do is ride around for fun, and a little light work, the Rancher would be fine. If you plan to work, or go places where you want a little extra power, the Foreman may be beter.

If I were to put a plow or bigger tires on, I would go with the Foreman. Too often I have seen people happy with their Rancher, until they put oversized 589s on, and then need more torque. The Foreman has it in spades.

 

My Rancher has been used for fun trail riding on very rough terrain, hauling large trees that were down on the in-law's farm (even pulling a heavy 5'x8' trailer with the trees piled on it), plowing snow, racing in harescrambles, jumping, crossing deep rivers and mudding...pretty much anything. It has been an exceptional machine and has over 1700 miles on it. I don't wish for anything more. It has done everything the big bores do--except win drag races. It's your decision, but if price is an issue at all, you will not be disappointed with the Rancher, I don't think. I want to add more machines to the garage to add some variety--I want a sport quad, but I don't want to get rid of the Rancher at all!!! I do think that you will like either one! Can't really go wrong!

 

When both are measured at the skidplate under the engine the rancher has over 2 inches on the foreman. I have an 02 rancher 4x4 and my buddy has the 450es and you can tell the difference when riding in rocky areas. The foreman does have more grunt but the rancher will accelerate faster due to the higher gearing. You have to shift the foreman a lot more than you will the rancher. The only way i would pick the foreman over the rancher is if you plan on putting big mud tires on it, then the foreman would have the advantage. But you cant go wrong with either quad, they,re both bulletproof. At least the s models are.

 

Swampcat...I see you have both the Honda 450 and the prairie 650. Both are bikes I'm considering for my next purchase..The prairie will cost me about $800 more to get it out the door...What do you think ? Im not really worried about the cost tho...